The government said Friday that a six-member advisory panel was established to draft a report on how to reduce the public duties of Emperor Akihito, but the politically sensitive issue of whether he should be allowed to abdicate due to advanced age is now expected to become part of its agenda.
In a rare televised speech on Aug. 8, the 82-year-old Emperor expressed his wish to step aside in the near future to make way for Crown Prince Naruhito to assume the Chrysanthemum Throne. His remarks sparked a debate over the Imperial House Law, which does not allow an emperor to abdicate according to his own free will.
The panel, which is devoid of experts on the Imperial family, will hold its first meeting in mid-October, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe most likely in attendance, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.